The Girl Wants to Be Murdered

TL/Editor: Butter Cat

Status: 4/week mon-thurs

Illustrations: none

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〈 Chapter 14 〉 Chapter 14. Fall.

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"...I... don't want to fight....!!"

I raised my sword with one hand.

Trembling, trembling, I could feel my body shaking uncontrollably, supported by only one leg.

Just standing was already pushing my body to its limit. There was no way I could dodge or move from here.

Despite my pathetic appearance, the look in Anna's eyes as she stared at me was more serious than ever.

The look of facing a true enemy.

"—Here I come."

"....!!!"

How long had we been sizing each other up, staring at each other.

A simple word, laced with fighting spirit, escaped Anna's lips. An attack timed to coincide with the blink of my eyes. In the brief moment I closed and opened my eyes, she was already in front of me.

Swish, Anna thrust her sword at me.

The tip of her blade was aimed at my heart.

—Clang!

"HyaaㅡAAAAAH!!?"

With a loud clash of metal, her sword was deflected.

I hadn't aimed for Anna, but for the trajectory of her sword. I swung my sword and barely managed to deflect it.

However, perhaps due to the recoil of the swift movement, I felt a jolt of pain shoot through my left arm, which had been reduced to a mangled mess.

The tingling sensation spread throughout my body.

And it caused a brief moment of hesitation.

".....!"

Anna saw my opening and, without hesitation, spun her body and kicked me. I barely managed to block it, using the flat of my sword as a shield.

No mercy at all...

"What's wrong!? Where's that brilliant genius little sister!?"

"....Gah... Aaagh..."

I was thrown back and collapsed again, but I staggered back to my feet, using my sword as a cane. I had to get up quickly.

Because Anna was swinging her sword towards me.

How fierce.

—Clang, clang!

Relentless attacks continued, one after another. From above, from the side, sometimes both. Anna's sword, imbued with her powerful force, struck down.

The only thing I could do, unable to move quickly or put strength into both hands, was to deflect the blows.

Several exchanges followed.

Anna attacked relentlessly, disregarding defense.

I focused solely on defense, with no thought for attacking.

My actions were limited to barely dodging or blocking her attacks, I hadn't initiated a single attack.

Well, I had no intention of hurting her in this fight.

"You......!!!"

"Ah... Haa... Haaa... Haa..."

As if realizing my intentions, the coldness in Anna's eyes as she looked at me was chilling.

Creak, an ominous sound emanated from the hilt of her sword as she gripped it tightly, feeling insulted.

That's not it.

This, is all out of respect for you.

"Aris.... Aris....!! You always, push me, this far—!!"

"Heehee... You finally, haa, you called, my name...?"

"....!!"

Even in this situation, the little sister who loves and cherishes her sister doesn't want to point her sword at her.

And I have no intention of hurting even a hair on her head.

Competition, fighting, war.

All of those things are only valid under the premise that the participants are on the same playing field.

If one person wins, the other loses.

If one side is victorious, the other side is defeated.

The common saying, ‘Life is a zero-sum game.’

Profit can only be gained at the expense of another participant.

This is not like that.

"—Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!"

"...Heehee..."

Anna charged at me with a scream.

Clang, sparks flew between us. Our swords clashed, and Anna started pressing down on me.

One hand versus two hands. Naturally, my knees, lacking strength, buckled.

Finally, forced to kneel, I met Anna's intense glare.

What we're doing is different from that kind of desperate struggle, stained with blood.

Her victory condition is to kill me.

My victory condition is to break the cursed earring on her ear and restore her mind to its original state, even if only temporarily.

Of course, even if I don't remove it, the King and Queen, after seeing the notes in the book, will remove it themselves, but let's call it a service.

A courtesy to my older sister, who tried to face the darkness within herself until the very end.

At the end of this endless sword dance, we will each leave with what we desired.

Therefore, this is not a fight, but a play that we perform together.

A tragedy with a happy ending.

"....Heehee."

I've always been like this.

I've lived like this, and I'll die like this.

This is my way of life.

—And I've never lost before.

Click, I hooked my sword into a small groove on Anna's sword.

A gap created from repeatedly parrying, blocking, and deflecting at the same spot.

I didn't miss it.

"...!!?"

"Big sis Anna—"

I twisted my sword.

Crack, crack, cracks spread across her sword like breaking ice.

The cracks grew, and finally, with a clean snap, Anna's sword broke in half.

Break in half and die!

—Clang!

".....You..."

"—Please!!"

I abandoned my admirable sword and threw myself at her. I pushed my injured leg, pierced by the arrow and trampled upon, one last time.

Run to her.

To where Anna stood, her head bowed, silently clutching the broken sword.

One step, another step, I closed the distance between us. Finally, within reach, I mustered my last ounce of strength and embraced her.

Thud.

And at that moment, both of our victory was secured.

Thud.

Big sis Anna's soft embrace was as warm as ever. I wanted to stay in her arms forever, but I reached out for her earring.

Once I remove this, she'll return to her former self. My strong sister will soon come to her senses.

I was worried about what would happen after I died, but seeing how splendidly my sister has grown, I think I was worrying for nothing. To say more would be nagging.

All the sins will be pinned on our poor Duke. He's reaping what he sowed.

Thud.

I felt the cold touch of the pearl. I also saw a black aura emanating from it, wrapping around my arm. Trying to consume me? Don't even dream about it, you little punk.

Inducing anxiety, amplifying emotions, causing minor hallucinations and auditory illusions? It's trying to create a suspension bridge effect. You should go on a date to watch a horror movie together instead of wasting time on useless things like this. (TL Note: Suspension Bridge effect is a psychological phenomenon where people tend to misattribute their physiological arousal for romantic attraction.)

Well, this is child's play. There's no way I'd be swayed by this level of shamanism.

Thud.

Rustle, rustle, I saw someone pushing through the trees in the distance.

Ah, is that Remi?

I almost didn't recognize her at first, covered in grass and leaves. Judging by her appearance, she must have rushed here in a hurry. By the way, you really found your way here, huh?

It must have been hard to get here.

Thud.

Now, shall we remove it?

I don't have much time left. I might even lose the strength to pull out the earring.

I thought about just yanking it off, but I can't scar my dear Anna's beautiful face, so I decided to just gently remove it.

Because my sister is precious.

Now, then.

I'll remove it on the count of three.

Then... Three!

".........Ah...?"

You're saying it's cheating to count to three right away? Bleh, I never said anything like that. It would be unsightly for an adult to argue, but for a little kid like me, it's somewhat acceptable.

Haha, by the way, I've never seen you make such a dumbfounded face! Big sis Anna, you could make faces like that too?

Are you that surprised?

You~ fool.

"Ah.... Aaaaaah..... AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH..!!!!"

"......."

.....Now, everyone, congratulations.

Remi, you made it just in time. Honestly, I wasn't sure if you'd be able to make it, but as expected, Remi, you're amazing.

From now on, you should focus a little more on training instead of just lazing around. If you had properly utilized what you learned, maybe you would have gotten here before I died?

Playing is good, but study a little too.

Well, if Remi was that kind of sister, I would have made a different plan.

Big sis Anna, congratulations to you too. You won in the end. You took my life.

Go ahead and boast. You exceeded my expectations, didn't you?

I can't believe you actually faced the inferiority complex sleeping within you. Although the ending didn't change, I applaud your courage.

She... She might become an even greater ruler than the one I had in mind. No, she will.

I slowly stepped back.

Honestly, there were many things I wanted to say to them, but it seems unnecessary. And impossible.

Cough, blood spilled from my mouth. About a paper cup's worth. My head drooped involuntarily. Thanks to that, I could see my current state without much effort.

It seems I was stabbed quite messily, the front of my clothes was completely stained red.

Was I stabbed four, or maybe five times? To top it all off, a half-broken sword was embedded in my stomach.

I'm still conscious, but I'm definitely going to die.

It's an injury that's impossible to treat with the current level of medical technology.

Well, in the modern era, there are cases where people who threw themselves on grenades to protect their comrades and took the full brunt of the explosion and survived, but that's only because of the insanely advanced medical technology.

Even if the best doctors in the kingdom rushed here now, all they could do is alleviate my pain.

In the distance, I saw Remi screaming and running towards me. Desperately trying to reach me faster. Sorry, I can't hear you.

Anna just stared at me blankly. Her wide eyes showed she was in shock.

I was truly loved, wasn't I?

I wanted to express my gratitude. To say that I was so happy because of them. For making every day a joy.

There was also something I wanted to tell Anna. That the quality of "kindness" I mentioned, that's something only Anna possesses.

I forgot to tell Remi where I hid the snacks. Well, I'm sure she'll find them and eat them herself, but you never know, right?

But I couldn't speak. I couldn't even open my mouth.

"......"

I could only smile at them.

Brightly.

A hand reached out. A scream pierced the air. Remi's face, running towards me, grows distant again.

I heard the sound of swirling wind and raging currents.

Ah, am I falling?

Well, it's a fitting end for me.

Splash.

With a strong impact, I lost consciousness.

**

The end.

Memory Loss(Self-Proclaimed) Tree.

Let's begin.

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